Recognized as one of the most important motorcycle racing series in the world, the FIM Superbike World Championship will conduct its ninth leg at the Monterey Peninsula and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from July 11 to 13 after the eighth round comes to a conclusion at Portimao, Portugal. The next leg of the race will be held at Jerez in Spain and will conclude at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. The ninth round is the only North American stop of the World Superbike FIM and if you are a motorcycle racing enthusiast, this is an opportunity that you cannot afford to miss.

The competition will feature 24 riders representing teams and manufacturers around the globe onboard high performance motorcycles similar to those found in showrooms across the globe. For every round, two riders face off against one another and the results of each race are tallied and combined to determine the best rider and best manufacturer.

The race was established in 1988 and is regulated by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme or FIM. Unlike other motorcycle races where participants ride on custom-built bikes, the motorcycles featured in the World Championship are tuned-up versions of bikes that are currently sold in the market. Currently, Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki holds on to the top spot followed by Aprilia, Honda, Ducati, Suzuki, BMW and MV Augusta. Last year, English rider Tom Sykes copped his first SBK title on-board a Kawasaki motorbike while Aprilia emerged as the top manufacturer.

This will be the second time when the World Championship will descend to Monterey, California, the first one being held last year. Another leg is expected to be conducted at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca which marks the end of a three-year contract between the racing venue and the organizers of the racing event.

Apart from the adrenaline rush of watching top motorcycle racers meet head-to-head with the world’s best, the World Championship’s North American stopover is an opportunity for fans to participate in open press conferences which are typically reserved only for journalists.

If you are planning to catch the races at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, make sure to book reservations at a hotel early. If you set aside ample time, you can explore Monterey’s other offerings, before or after the race weekend.

Monterey is just a two-hour drive from San Francisco and is home to some of the world’s culinary artisans and splendid wineries.